Terry and the Pirates — Julian F. Thompson

When Terry's mom (with only the best intentions) says it's time for her darling daughter to head to boarding school, Terry (with only the best intentions) knows it's time to take a hike. The hike she takes is as a stowaway on a yacht, which is sweet. But the shipmate she intended (safe, paternal type) turns out to be a boy who isn't big on wearing clothes (till Terry shows up). Turns out he's running away, too, and if he weren't so young -- boys mature so slowly -- Terry would say he was, well, pretty nice. Cute. Okay, handsome.

What's a yacht without a romance; what's a romance without a storm; what's a storm without a rescue; what's a rescue without pirates; what are pirates without treasure, bloodthirsty plans, a talking myna bird (and a komodo dragon)? These are the questions master stylist Julian F Thompson takes on in this swashbuckling new book, as fresh as the salt spray, and as bracing.